“"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."”
Romans 1:16
Summary
In Romans 1, Paul introduces himself as a servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God. He highlights the good news about Jesus, who was declared the Son of God in power by his resurrection. Paul expresses his desire to visit the Roman believers to impart spiritual gifts and to be mutually encouraged by their faith. His eagerness to preach the gospel underlines the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, both Jews and Gentiles. Paul moves on to describe the wrath of God revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth. He explains that God's invisible qualities and divine nature have been clearly perceived through creation, leaving humanity without excuse. Despite knowing God, people turned to worship created things instead, leading to a decline into various sins and moral corruption. The chapter concludes with a sobering account of the consequences of abandoning God. Due to this turning away, God gave them over to degrading passions and a depraved mind. The list of sins culminates in a society that not only practices wickedness but also approves of those who do the same. This serves as a powerful critique of humanity's rebellion against God’s truth and the resultant moral decay.